Two Fables [Hardcover]

Roald Dahl (Author), Graham Dean (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 61 pages
• Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (May 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0374280185
• ISBN-13: 978-0374280185
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,937,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Roald Dahl (1916-1990) was born in Llandaff, South Wales, and went to Repton School in England. His parents were Norwegian, so holidays were spent in Norway. As he explains in Boy, he turned down the idea of university in favor of a job that would take him to"a wonderful faraway place. In 1933 he joined the Shell Company, which sent him to Mombasa in East Africa. When World War II began in 1939 he became a fighter pilot and in 1942 was made assistant air attaché in Washington, where he started to write short stories. His first major success as a writer for children was in 1964. Thereafter his children's books brought him increasing popularity, and when he died children mourned the world over, particularly in Britain where he had lived for many years.The BFG is dedicated to the memory of Roald Dahls eldest daughter, Olivia, who died from measles when she was seven - the same age at which his sister had died (fron appendicitis) over forty years before. Quentin Blake, the first Children's Laureate of the United Kingdom, has illustrated most of Roald Dahl's children's books.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Two kings, two princesses, only one Mr Dahl, June 15, 2010

By 

Sam Quixote - See all my reviews

This review is from: Two Fables (Hardcover)

The first fable is about a physically ugly man who saves a beautiful princess from harm and who is granted the right by the king to take any woman in the kingdom he wishes. The wise king foresees the inevitable conclusion and true love's path...

The second fable is much more sinister involving another princess and king. This princess is also beautiful but incredibly vain and uses her beauty to her own ends. When she is given the chance of taking over the throne by poisoning her father, she takes the advice of a mysterious beggar who gives her the poison. But who is the beggar really...?

The legendary Roald Dahl puts together a very slim volume of two very short stories. If you've read Dahl before you'll know the verve with which he tells any story and the wicked sense of humour he possesses making for any story he writes worth reading. Two Fables is no exception and, though hard to find and quick to read, if you can find a copy then snap it up. It's great fun from a master storyteller.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books ever written, January 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Two Fables (Hardcover)

This book is one of my favourite books, not only by the late great Roald Dahl but ever. I did have a copy, but it has since disappeared; where, I have no idea. Anyone who loves the books of Roald Dahl should read this book, anyone who thinks that they can not be surprised by books anymore READ THIS... Every bookshop I visit I say 'Do you have a copy of Two Fables'. Amazon is the first one, which has answered yes... Just a review from Down Under, I hope that I win the prize of free books, because I really want to get this book and a million others. Thanks, I will include my email address to see if anyone else loves Roald Dahl, just like me.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars "Too Feeble", May 10, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Two Fables (Hardcover)

I'm a Dahl fan, but this odd little volume (published to commemorate the author's 70th birthday) has to be one of his least interesting works. The two parables, "The Princess and the Poacher" and "Princess Mammalia," are aimed at mature readers rather than children, but lack the wit and imagination usually found in Dahl's stories. A disappointment. Recommended for Dahl completists only.